Photo: Getty Images
The father of tennis superstar Coco Gauff is applauding his daughter for how she handled an argument with an umpire.
During the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday (February 21), Gauff had a lengthy exchange with an umpire over a disputed point as she faced off against Karolína Plíšková in a match.
The disagreement stemmed from the umpire refusing to credit Gauff with the point, saying it should be replayed. When Gauff asked to speak to the match supervisor over the point, the umpire also refused.
Video of the argument went viral on social media, with many users, including Gauff's dad, Corey, praising the tennis star for standing up for herself.
“So proud of my daughter. Standing up for yourself and fighting for fairness. You have the strength of your grandmothers who are 2 of the strongest women we know," the father wrote on Instagram. "While being passionate you remained respectful as you articulated your argument. The scene is so familiar to women and women of color pleading and fighting to be treated fairly and respectfully by their male counterparts."
Corey went on to call his daughter "an incredible example to women."
"Despite not getting the outcome you wanted you wanted you stood up for yourself and successfully moved on. You are becoming the young woman I prayed for. God Bless you," he wrote.
Coco is now set to compete against Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.